{Discovering Southern}: The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

To say that last weekend was delicious would be an understatement of the grandest proportions. Indulging in the three-day fete that was the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival was delicious, yes.  But it was also so. much. more.  In its fifth year, the AFWF showcased the best in culinary and creative talent across the Southern region of the United States with a clear and simple mission: Discover Southern. 

Undertaking an exhilarating itinerary that began Friday afternoon, in the heart of Midtown, Atlanta, I feasted my way through a weekend that was as special for the people and experiences I encountered, as it was for the food and drink.   From restauranteurs, to chocolatiers, to acclaimed cookbook authors and chefs, to regional purveyors, equally eager festival goers, and beyond, I relished every moment of Southern connection and discovery--and left wanting more.

My first tastes of the festival were at the tasting tents, which featured more than 100 award-winning chefs. With a variety that mirrored the broad flavors of the South, there was something for everyone--and every taste.  Barbecue, seafood, tacos, Indian cuisine, gelato, chocolate, doughnuts, pimento cheese and deviled eggs (of course!), sips of all kinds, burgers, and on and on and on went the lineup of scrumptious eats that spanned four tents--and drew me back day after day. 

Beyond the excitement and indulgence of the tasting tents, I took in a few of the more than 90 classes (my selections included Bugs and Chocolate, Chilies in the South, and more), cooking demos, and a newly featured, Sunday Brunch.  Attendees could also opt-in to an expertly curated Connoisseur Dinner Series, hosted nightly at premier Atlanta restaurants and venues.

My dalliances left me prouder than ever of this part of the country that I call home, and I'm already counting the days until I get to do it all over again next year.  For more festival highlights, visit my photo gallery -- then mark your calendars for next year where we'll do it all over again!

Happy Eating!

{In Case You Missed It}: 2017 Highlights

Happy New Year! Embarking upon another year has always been a source of excitement, hope and anticipation for what's to come.  As 2018 continues to unfold, I'm pressing the pause button to reflect and share some of the amazing highlights that 2017 brought to D.M.R. Fine Foods.

There's a heightened sense of gratitude that occurs when I realize just how amazing this past year has been.  On virtually every front, I was so blessed to create, curate, and share my passions in both familiar and new (for me), exciting ways!

If you've been along for the ride with me until now, multiplied thank yous!! And if you're newer to D.M.R. Fine Foods, welcome!  I look forward to you settling in and staying awhile. :)

So without further adieu, here's our best of 2017, starting with a short video stream of some favorite moments (recommended: watch in full screen mode).
Travel ~
My year in travel was probably my biggest in recent memory.  I literally started the year in the midst of a winter getaway to Rome, Florence and Paris and got to take in these favorite cities (and fall in love with them) all over again.  Within a month, I was off to warmer terrain in the U.S. Virgin Islands and enjoyed a lovely return visit to St. Croix.  My journeys continued to New Orleans, Chicago, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Cuba, Phoenix (including one amazing day trip to the Grand Canyon) and finally, my perennial favorite, NYC.  Travel is such a source of joy and discovery and refreshing for me, so a year heavy in taking in destinations near and far couldn't have been better.


Food ~
2017 was by far the most exciting year in food to date!  I started the year sharing recipes inspired by travels, like Warm Goat Cheese Salad, soon followed by a phenomenal virtual potluck with 27 other food bloggers in honor of Black History Month!! It was a one-of-a-kind showcase of global black culture--through the lens of food, including my Curry Chicken Pot Pie feature.  More goodness followed with recipes like Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Cherry Upside Down Cake, Roasted Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers, Braised Short Ribs and more!

Beyond my kitchen, my food journey was also inextricably linked to my travels, and I had the pleasure of taking in unforgettable local eats and restaurants, such as this and this and this.  It was another delicious year, indeed!

Media ~
Beyond sharing here on the blog, my recurring column in Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine, digital and social media, I was immensely blessed to add both television and radio to the fold.  From a radio interview on the food and culture scene in St. Croix, USVI to several appearances on CBS46's Atlanta Plugged In morning show, I couldn't have been more thrilled for the opportunities to share my food and lifestyle passions with broader audiences.

The year brought continued successful collaborations that included media relations and social campaigns for the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, The Four Seasons Hotel, St. Lucia Department of Tourism, Davio's Northern Italian Restaurant, PopSugar, and more.

Fashion & Lifestyle ~
Fashion found its way center stage through style files on Trench Coats, the Met Gala Red Carpet and the exceptional Ragtrade Atlanta Fashion Week and Runway Show.

And lifestyle inspiration spanned fall tablescapes, to holiday-themed decor, and more.

Thank you for allowing D.M.R. Fine Foods to share with you and may you be inspired to live "the good life" like never before!

xx,
Dawn

{In Case You Missed It}: 2018 Highlights

Happy New Year (again!)  Amazingly, this year is off to a fast and furious start, with January soon to be in the rear view.  So before any more time elapses, I want to share one of my most favorite perennial posts, highlighting many of the moments that made the year gone by special for me, personally, and for D.M.R. Fine Foods.

Each year it seems like it couldn't get any sweeter and, then, it does!  And that would be 2018.  On a personal note, I enjoyed more fulfilling career, personal, civic, and relational highlights that made everything else the proverbial (and oh so delicious) icing on top.

That "icing" included special moments, among others, in food, travel, lifestyle and media--a well-rounded foray of the good life.  And I'm excited to recap some of the most special for you here, starting with a fun slideshow round-up. (*Recommended: watch in full screen mode.)

Food ~
My year in food included such highlights as once again being a featured blogger and contributor to the acclaimed Black History Month Virtual Potluck, with my Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding with Maple Glaze, along with more recipes and foodie indulgences from near and far.

Travel ~
My wanderlust led me to exceptional new destinations, including Cartagena, Colombia and Cozumel, Mexico, and repeat favorites, alike, including South Beach, New York City, Chicago, Orlando and Bermuda.  From the occasional business jaunt, to vacation getaways, 2018 was another year of fulfilling travel and exploration.

Fashion & Lifestyle ~
I experienced of the biggest honors of 2018 on what I'll label as the lifestyle front, which was being selected as a 2018 BHG Stylemaker by Better Homes and Gardens magazine! Can you say, awe-mazing?!  (I'll be a doing a dedicated post soon to share more of the fabulousness of my entire experience, so stay tuned!)  Beyond BHGStylemaker, I had the pleasure of joining gorgeous fashion influencer, CariRene Vintage, for an amazing afternoon of fashion inspiration at the Global Runway Fashion Presentation hosted by the Atlanta Airport.  And as a special bonus, to boot, I met one of my favorite fashion and beauty editors!

Beyond decor and fashion, another highlight included a private Girlfriends' Spa Party courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty and Saks Atlanta, making for a great afternoon of pampering with some of my favorite girls.

Media/Collaborations ~
2018 was another standout year on the media and collaboration front.  I was so thrilled to return to the t.v. to share more of my food and lifestyle passions, this time with the fabulous daytime show, Atlanta and Company.  My media footprint continued with my running monthly column with Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine, media corp for my forever favorite Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, and myriad media collaborations on behalf of exceptional local restaurants, wineries, farm co-ops (City Winery Atlanta, Varun Napoli, Dantanna's, Peach Dish), Atlanta Magazine, and more!

I obviously kept to my busier pace but, as always, it was extremely worth it, and equally as special to share it with you here on the blog and via social media.  I thank you for remaining connected and appreciate your ongoing support and interest in my corner of the world.  I love having you along for my journey and look forward to sharing more as 2019 continues to unfold. 

Happy Living!

 

D.M.R. Fine Foods, The Blog, Celebrates 10 Years (Pt. 2)

I'm excited to be back sharing more of the highlights and experiences that have made my D.M.R. Fine Foods blogging journey truly rewarding to date.  And I trust that the best is yet to come!  

In this installment, we're going down memory lane for the years of 2013-2015, and believe me when I tell you that they were some of the most progressive and thrilling years, following the amazing-ness of the early years.  So without further ado, let's keep this party train rolling!

2013

2013 highlights brought on the likes of amazing collaborations, including being a founding member of Popsugar Food Select which would segue into the publishing of five of my original recipes on the Popsugar platform and inclusion in additional round-ups, being acknowledged as Blogger of the Week among the cadre of fellow talented bloggers, and sponsored/ambassador campaigns for the Popsugar Must Have Box in the years to follow.  

My collaborations continued as a contributing blogger with the Travelista TV brand, expanding my reach for sharing my travel passion, tips and savvy with fellow travelistas far and wide.  Annnd, I saw another dream come true, as I embarked on my first (of several fully-sponsored/hosted) press trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  Furthering my voice as a travel journalist and working with tourism authorities, all while taking in the best of a destination, couldn't have been more thrilling and fueling to keep indulging my passions with wild abandon.

2014

And then there was 2014!!! With momentum from the previous years flowing nicely, 2014 highlights brought even more awe-inspiring experiences.  I caught the bug for teaching culinary skills and techniques, while making food a fun and delicious endeavor, during my William-Sonoma days and in 2014 ultimately parlayed that into the realization of  my very own cooking school. (Can you say, dream fulfilled?!). As the pop-up concept was starting to catch on, and with a full-time corporate career in tow, I decided on a pop-up concept that would launch in the Spring of 2014 to raving success.  You can take in more of the amazing highlights from my Techniques and Tastings (TM) Pop Up Cooking School--and stay tuned for future offerings from this well-beloved DMRFF offering.

And if my cooking school wasn't enough, I added another pop up concept, in the way of my Holiday Pop Up Shop, to the mix with our initial launch in December of 2014.  My love of sharing my food with the "masses" beyond the world of media and bespoke cooking classes, was realized in this one-day format where I brought forth many of the recipes that had become customer favorites from my Holiday Sweets and Treats Menu catering days.  Again, I say, stay tuned for more on this front!

I also continued furthering my media and collaboration footprint covering events like the Taste of Atlanta Food Festival, restaurant reviews, being a contributing writer to the Travel Noire platform and crowning the year with another epic, hosted press trip and tourism collaboration to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands!

2015

The hits just kept on coming with my 2015 highlights!  

I experienced more epic travel forays to new destinations (like Argentina and Uruguay) and repeat favorites (hello Paris and London and NYC), and more, to satisfy my travel passion. 

Back on the media/collaboration front, my footprint expanded to more festivals, including the highly regarded Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, along with more restaurant and food industry event reviews, including Restaurant Week indulgences and more.  I was also honored to have my first of four recipes, to date, published on the FeedFeed!

There was also the matter of having the James Beard Foundation give a nod to my food, accompanied by an award of dinner for two at the James Beard House!!!!! It still remains one of the most special memories in my journey to date--and a night I'll always remember. 

My byline credits expanded to include a lifestyle piece in the June 2015 issue of Upscale Magazine; another honor, indeed.  

And then there was yet another dream come true, as I received my first media invitation to cover the Daniel Silverstain SS16 New York Fashion Week collection (eeek!!!). To know me is to know my life-long (as in adolescent years forward) passion for fashion and my dream of attending fashion week someday.  

And to be clear, all of these highlights were in parallel with blogging my heart out here and staying connected through my social media channels. From 2010 until now, that has always been the format.

So much amazing-ness, so many memories, so much more goodness still to share.  I keep pinching myself and thanking God for all the richness this journey has served (and continues to add) to my life and expression as a creative.  Thank you for being here and for allowing me to share many of the good things that continue to make it worthwhile.  Stay tuned for more in the days ahead. :)

Happy Holidays!

Dawn

{In Case You Missed It}: 2019 Highlights

Happy New Year! How amazing is it that we have crossed the threshold not only into a brand new year, but a brand new decade?!  And, as always, wrapping up a year gives way for my reflection on many of the moments that made it special, indeed.

2019 was not without its ebbs and flows, and despite some of the bumps, bruises and downright difficult moments I encountered, there were undoubtedly so many more special moments that I was blessed to experience and/or create--and I'm excited to recap some of my favorites here for you, as a part of my now running annual highlights.  From food, to travel, to lifestyle and fashion, media collaborations, and sharing with you, it was another very good year for me and D.M.R. Fine Foods.  And considering we're heading into the 10th anniversary of the blog this year (I launched it almost three years after starting my brand and business), I'm thrilled to say that it keeps getting better and better.  And the best is still yet to come!

So to get us going, I'm kicking things off with a fun slideshow round-up. (*Recommended: watch in full screen mode.)



Food ~
My food escapades once again included being a featured blogger in the 3rd annual Black History Month Potluck, which showcased my Spice Roasted Chicken, along with 27 additional recipes from fellow bloggers for a one-of-a-kind expose of the best in black cuisine and culture.  There were additional new recipes brought to life in my kitchen, like my now favorite Hasselback Butternut Squash with Maple Butter, Egg Muffins and more, and favorite sips, including this travel-inspired Spritz and this festive, grown-up twist to apple cider.  From my travels (more on that in a moment), to home cooking, restaurant weeks, local dining experiences, and more, 2019 was a delicious year.

Travel ~
2019 was an epic year of travel for me.  From taking in never-before-visited continents, countries, cities, and states, to revisiting long-time favorites, and making memories all along the way, 2019 kept my wanderlust in full gear.  The lineup included New York City, Florida (Orlando and Destin), Chicago, Thailand (Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Phuket), London, Paris, Arkansas (Little Rock, Bentonville, and El Dorado), and last, but certainly not least, Maui, Hawaii.  Travel is truly life for me, and I'm so grateful to have amassed such amazing experiences and lifetime memories, once again.

But it didn't stop there.  I did a thing and launched my very own travel boutique, to boot.  Taking my expertise and love for travel and extending that to help others explore and create postcard-worthy memories now lines my travel purpose and goals.

Fashion and Lifestyle ~
I started the year with the privilege of indulging my inner fashion bug during the NYFW-adjacent MAN/WOMAN Autumn/Winter 2019 Man Show in NYC.  Can you say my element?! It goes without saying that it was great to be back in the thick of it all.  From a little extra fun with Mac Cosmetics for National Lipstick Day, donning tribal braids for a new look and life lessons, necessary self care, and more, the year brought more of the lifestyle flair that I love.

Media/Collaborations ~
2019 proved to be another exceptional year on the media/collaboration fronts.  From my running monthly column in Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine (which wrapped its 8 year stint!!! last year), to my absolute favorite Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, to ADAC, Slutty Vegan, Candytopia, more phenomenal restaurants (SEAR/Marriott Hotels, Aziza, Mission + Market, Fogo de Chao, Henri's), Diptyque, Home Depot Backyard Night Market, Scotch & Soda, Miracle Atlanta, ESSENCE (dream collaboration!!!), and one truly unforgettable press tour hosted by Arkansas Tourism, I couldn't have asked for a better extension of my bringing my talents and passions to bear across so many phenomenal brands and experiences.  Truly. blessed.

I'm thankful for every experience and opportunity to live and share my passions and expertise.  I thank you for remaining connected and appreciate your ongoing support and interest in my corner of the world.  I love having you along for my journey and look forward to sharing more as 2020 continues to unfold.

Happy Living!

xo,
Dawn

{In Case You Missed It}: 2015 Highlights

As I approach the end of another year (five years and running now for the blog), it has become clearer to me than ever that the love and sweat poured into D.M.R. Fine Foods is worth every ounce of effort.  Sharing my passions with you here and beyond, and getting to experience them in newer and more exciting ways during this past year, has made 2015 nothing short of phenomenal.  While you're always welcome (and encouraged) to devour the archives, I want to encapsulate the highlights that set 2015 apart for D.M.R. Fine Foods--and have us raring to go for an even greater 2016!

FOOD
Where to start? There was no shortage of great recipes that made for a delicious year from start to finish.  Favorites included Rustic Strawberry Jam Crostini, Chilled Red Pepper Soup, Strawberry-Basil Sorbet, Buffalo Hot Wings, Crispy Flatbread Pizza, Raspberry-Ricotta Cake and so much more! Visit our recipes page to see them all.

Beyond my own cooking and baking forays, were equally delicious restaurant tastings and brand openings, food festivals, including the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival and perennial Taste of Atlanta Festival.  Not to mention the thrill of my award of dinner for two at the Beard House in NYC from the James Beard Foundation and a share of this post on their Instagram feed. Swoon!

And last, but certainly not least, was the continuation of my beloved Pop-Up Cooking School and Holiday Pop-Up Shop.  

TRAVEL
I started the year with an enviable travel bucket list that combined long-standing favorites with new, yet to be seen, territory.  I'm elated to share that I made every place on the list (with an extra or two along the way)--with the exception of one due to a last minute downturn in weather.  You'll have to stick around in 2016 to learn which one that is because I won't let it get by me next year.   

What could be dreamier than starting my year in travel in Paris and London for a winter holiday?  It was followed by weekend getaways, R&R beach escapes, NYC, and finally Argentina and Uruguay.  Laden with beauty, great food, amazing people and cultures, adventure, shopping, art and more, as travel goes, it was phenomenal on all counts. I'll be sharing more in upcoming travel postcards, so wait to be inspired.

FASHION
A passion of mine since seemingly forever (just ask my mom), I loved bringing more of myself to the blog on this front.  From beach style, to Labor Day garb, to New York Fashion Week(!!!), 2015 served up some truly memorable moments in fashion.

LIFESTYLE INSPIRATION
From interiors to dining alfresco to makeup and beauty to simple pleasures, there was no shortage of lifestyle inspiration in 2015.    

MEDIA COLLABORATIONS
Beyond the festivals, restaurants, businesses and brands I was fortunate to work with this year, my collaborations as a contributing writer with Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine's For the Love of Food column and as a PopSugar Select Food member continued in full force.  I was also proud to add UPSCALE Magazine to the list as a contributor to their annual Luxury Hotel and Spa Guide in the June 2015 issue.

The biggest thrill of them all remains connecting with my readers, supporters and patrons through the blog, events, social media and beyond.  Thank you for the support and enthusiasm that makes it doubly fulfilling.  I hope you enjoyed all we had to share in 2015 and stay plugged in as the New Year unfolds.  (**Check out this quick video collage of some of the year's favorite moments.) 
 
Here's to the happiest of New Years--and may it be our best one yet!

Xx,
Dawn  
  

 

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Returns Bigger & Better!

In two short weeks, a culinary experience that heralds the essence of the South beyond anything most have ever seen or tasted will return to Atlanta for an epic weekend in food, drink--and good times.

Now in its sixth year, it's hard to imagine that anything could top last year's festival, however this year promises to be the biggest--and the best--one yet.  Spectacular new additions--including a new series of expert instruction via Master Classes; a new Tasting Tents location; and a first-of-its-kind in the U.S. Pop-Up Vineyard in the City, in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, with a featured Sunday Brunch, the Ultimate Road Trip Kick-Off Party and much more--will make it worth every moment!

The themed Tasting Tents will reside in the gorgeous Piedmont Park Promenade

Sneak Peek rendering of the Pop-Up Vineyard in the City

"For food lovers, there is nothing more appealing than spending a weekend indulging in exceptional food and drink by rock star culinary talent, especially when the experience includes a road trip to a fun Southern city,” explains Dominique Love, Co-founder of the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival.

I couldn't agree more.  The ultimate Southern culinary weekend awaits and, trust me, you don't want to miss it!  Get your tickets now at atlantafoodandwinefestival.com.  Then prepare to know the south--and its cuisine--like never before.

Happy Eating!

{In Case You Missed It}: 2016 Highlights

Happy New Year!  I hope that your new year is indeed off to a great start and already shaping up to be your best one yet.

Before we go much further, however, in keeping with my recent tradition, I want to pause and share on some of the most special highlights from 2016.  If you follow me on social media, then you're likely aware that I was fortunate to end last year and begin the new year indulging in my passion for travel with a vacation in a few of my favorite European countries and cities--hence the recent quietness on the blog and much appreciated break and rest from my usual routine. (More highlights from that to come in the days and months ahead...!)

Now that I'm back in the saddle, so to speak, my first order of business here on the blog is to share a brief capture of some of the moments--in food, travel, fashion and style, lifestyle, inspiration, and more, that made last year exceptional on its own terms.  Six plus years and counting, and I am more thankful than ever for this outlet and the opportunities you afford me to share my passions with you.



From dining at the James Beard House, to being featured in Vinings Lifestyle Magazine, to recurring media coverage and collaboration for the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Taste of Atlanta Festival, as well as local restaurants, working with amazing brands like Groupon and Warby Parker, sharing my recipes in Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine, increased collaboration with PopSugar, a fabulous Holiday Pop Up Shop, wonderful travels from New York to Miami to Mexico to Italy, and more, 2016 was once again super sweet and special for D.M.R. Fine Foods.  I feel truly blessed by it all.
 
As always, I hope DMRFF continues to inspire you to live and embrace "the good life" in all its facets. 

Here's to the happiest new year yet....

xo, Dawn

Upcoming Events and Foodie Haps

If you live in or near the Atlanta area (or not), you'll want to know about a few upcoming events that will be taking place...just in time for Spring!

75th Atlanta Dogwood Festival--an Atlanta Tradition, featuring an artist market, exhibitions, entertainment, classic festival foods & more.  April 15-17, 2011.  More info. & details here. 

Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show, featuring Food Network Stars Paula Deen, Giada De Laurentiis and The Neelys, along with talented local chefs, workshops & more! April 30-May 1, 2011.  More info. & ticket details here.


Farm, Fete, Feast--Around the Maypole, featuring some of Atlanta's most acclaimed chefs.  May 1, 2011.  More info. & ticket details here.

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, celebrating the cuisine of the South!  May 19-22, 2011.  More info. & ticket details here.


Mark your calendars now & enjoy!